VTR Running Too Hot

[flarblar]

Sorry, I know there's loads of threads on here about this but need some reassurance that my car isn't going to pop!!!

After about 10 minutes of running the temp gauge is sat at 3/4, if you're driving at 80mph it's near enough on the top line. It's never gone over the line and the warning light's never come on (yet) the air coming out of the blowers above the pedals is hot enough to scald. I've replaced the temp sensor and the thermostat, the gauge is still showing the same temp but there's a drastic difference in the air temp coming out of the heaters.

There's oil and water in it, going where it should, no oil in the water or vice versa. Could it be the gauge??????

Please help!! :wall:

[MunkyBoy]

Stupid as it sounds - is the fan on?

[Juggyluggs]

have you changed your coolant flushed out your radiator and yes as said above is the fan working?

[MunkyBoy]

Have you checked for air in the rad also? Is the water pumping round?

[bluenotesmiley]

I notice you say there is water in it. Is there coolant mixture in the water too?

[flarblar]

The water's been drained completely and re-filled, radiator's been bled defo no air in it. The fan kicks in when the gauge hits 3/4 and is usually still running when the engine's turned off.

[flarblar]

No coolant in the water no..............

[micks233]

thermostat might be sticking? are all the pipes getting hot? the engine might be running to rich, check all air pipes are connected and there is no air leaks anywere.

[micks233]

No coolant in the water no..............

Well this could be one of your main problems.

You need a mixture of both coolant and water. Then re-bleed the system and see how it goes.

[flarblar]

At the risk of sounding like your 'A typical' female now, do I need to drain all the water out again before putting the coolant in??? All the pipes are hot, and there's no leaks

[Newtz07]

Best thing to do (mainly coz its free and i have the same problem now and again, usually winter though) is re-bleed your rad system through again.

replace the thermostat, and get some gasket weld or instant gasket, and use that as an extra seal, because the housing of the thermo warps due to heat, so never fits air tight.

then wap some coolant in and you should be fine.

after about 10 mins of driving (if that) my temp says 3/4 of the way... dunno if thats normal, thought it was. but it doesnt go over 3/4 of the way.

you can tell if its running too hot coz it will smell weird. mine doesnt smell, so guessing 3/4s up is normal... can i get a 10/4?

[micks233]

At the risk of sounding like your 'A typical' female now, do I need to drain all the water out again before putting the coolant in??? All the pipes are hot, and there's no leaks

Basically, you need to re-drain the water, top up with anti-freeze/coolant and then top up with water. I would personally stick about 3-4 litres of antifreeze in and then water.

While you are topping it up, there is a bleed screw by the thermostat, leave that slightly open while you are topping up the coolant + water, this will make sure all air is removed from the system, as when pouring in coolant or water into your system, if doing it to quick it can cause air to draw in causing more air locks.

Hope this helps

[bluenotesmiley]

I would replace the entire contents of the system with the correct mixture of coolant and water. Did you know that there are a couple of bleed points, not just the one on the radiator?

[micks233]

Best thing to do (mainly coz its free and i have the same problem now and again, usually winter though) is re-bleed your rad system through again.

replace the thermostat, and get some gasket weld or instant gasket, and use that as an extra seal, because the housing of the thermo warps due to heat, so never fits air tight.

then wap some coolant in and you should be fine.

after about 10 mins of driving (if that) my temp says 3/4 of the way... dunno if thats normal, thought it was. but it doesnt go over 3/4 of the way.

you can tell if its running too hot coz it will smell weird. mine doesnt smell, so guessing 3/4s up is normal... can i get a 10/4?

Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong. :S

[bluenotesmiley]

Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong. :S

The dials are not very accurate in Saxos.



For bleeding the system use this guide.

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98877

There are 3 bleed points in the car.

[ryanmt]

Having no antifreeze doesnt really make any difference in summer. Obviously if it freezes its bad news though, but it wont be causing your problem.

Top up the water and check the termostat is opening (the top hose will be hot and pressurised if it is). Cheap fix is a problem with a thermostat or blocked radiator, but it could quite possibly be the headgasket letting air into the system and causing an airlock. Continually overheating it to the red like wont be doing you any favours atall.

[flarblar]

Going oon the theory that it could be the head gasket I've been having a nose on the internet, has anyone used steel seal????

[micks233]

Going oon the theory that it could be the head gasket I've been having a nose on the internet, has anyone used steel seal????

no cant say i have, most sealents all do the same to be honest, i normally use clear sealent, simply as its clear and cant be seen, so makes less mess. but im fussy :homme:

[bluenotesmiley]

no cant say i have, most sealents all do the same to be honest, i normally use clear sealent, simply as its clear and cant be seen, so makes less mess. but im fussy :homme:

I think you are getting confused between a liquid gasket and a repair product that you can use to try and repair the headgasket.

[L33]

my vtr goes to 3/4 but then the fan kicks in and it drops to half way, and stays there.

[SnakeVTR]

everyones seem to read different, my fan cuts in when its a little bit over half way, also having antifreeze in your water wont make a difference to the temp, the coolant is actually the water, the antifreeze does exactly what it says on the tin :P (prevents the coolant sytem freezing up) its also worth checking you have the right thermostat installed and that yours isnt just worn as they age (wax inside the stat goes manky), all thermostats have the opening temperature on the back of them, typically 88-90 degrees, but if you fit a 92 c thermostat your guage will read higher and the fan will cut in later due to the stat not opening early enough :y:

[Newtz07]

Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong. :S

yer?

it doesnt smell hot, but if i drive about a bit and then left the bonnet, the engine feels red hot...

i am gonna get some coolant, as i am just running water at the moment!